FRESNO, Calif. (Interstat) — Bryce McKnight pitched five shutout innings with eight strikeouts and San Diego State’s offense erupted for eight runs on 16 hits as the Aztecs defeated Fresno State 8-5 on Saturday at Selland Arena in a Mountain West contest.

San Diego State improved to 25-18, while the Bulldogs fell to 12-27. McKnight, who entered with two recent three-inning wins, allowed no hits and no earned runs. Jake Jackson went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, Tyce Peterson homered and drove in three, and Jabin Trosky and Max Farrell each added a solo homer. Marcus Nolen powered Fresno State with two home runs and three RBIs, and Sky Collins also went deep.

The Aztecs struck for four runs in the third inning and added two in the fifth. Fresno State answered with four runs in the bottom of the fifth, but Peterson’s three-run homer in the sixth restored San Diego State’s cushion. Farrell homered in the ninth. Fresno State starter Tyler Patrick allowed three earned runs over 4 2/3 innings.